Psychology, 5/e   Wortman, Loftus & Weaver
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there personality genes?

There are genes that INFLUENCE personality, but they also influence many other things. One common misunderstanding is that, if a trait which has a genetic component, then it must be controlled by a single gene. This is simply not the case. Many genes work together to influence personality.

Most personality studies show genetic influences h2, or HEREDIBILITY on most personality traits is between 0.3 and 0.7. This means that between 30 and 60% of all individual differences in personality can be traced to genetic factors.

2. Do people retain their core personality the entire life?

Research has indicated by personality is quite stable after we reach the age of about 20. If you want to know what you’ll be like at 70, look at what you were like at 20.

This is not to say personality and behavior cannot change, of course. All adults change to some degree throughout their lives, and even stable personality traits often influence behavior differently throughout the lifespan. A 19-year-old one who is risk-taking and sensation seeking might bungee jump or skydive. When this person is 50, these same traits might lead to very different kinds of behavior--quitting a job to take a job with the Peace Corps, for example.

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